Printing machinery



June 8, 1943. A. WEISS 2,321,342

PRINTING MACHINERY.

- Original Filed June 2, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet l 141 I U. r I, a" @f r I 43 INVENTOR.

' Y Adolph Weiss W KM,

ATTORNEYS June 8, 1943. v wfi ss' v 2,321,342

PRINTING'MACHINERY Original Filed June 2, 1938 10 Sheets-Shut 3 I '\"I j I A INVENTOR.

Adolph We/SS BY IE {I a 2 ATTORNEY Jupe 8, 1943. v wg ss 2,321,342

PRINTING MACHINERY I Original FiledJune 2, 193a -10 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. I

BY Adolph Weiss M M,M+

ATTORNEYS June 8, 1943. A. WEISS 2,321,342

rRIIlTiNe mgxcnmmx Original Fil'ed June 2, 19:58 10 Sheets-Sheet s v INVENTOR.

Mow Weiss June a, 1943. Y A. WEISS 2,321,342

PRiNTING MACHINERY Original Filed June 2, 1933 10 Sheets-Sheet s v INVENTOR. Adolph M01255 ATTORNEYS June 8,1943.

A. WEISS PRINTING MACHINERY Original Filed June 2, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 J INVENTOR.

Adolph Weiss wfl v mf ATTORNEYS June 8, 194-3 1 wg ss 2,321,342

PRINTING MACHINERY Original- Filed June 2, 1938 1 Sheets-Sheet s I v INVENTOR- BY Adafah' N/ISS ATTORNEYS June 8 1943- A. mass 2,321,342

PRINTING MACHINERY Original-Filed June 2, 19:8 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 12. 1 .24; 7% I Hf; 3C

I I nmm l 76.7! 70,

ilit'ffM/U VAR/481E DF/V/IVG I INVENTOR BY Adolph We/'s.s M, l nd; M1215:

ATTORNEYS June 8, 1943.

A. WEISS PRINTING MACHINERY Original Filed June 2, 193a 0F PRINTING (Y1 10 Sheets-Sheet 1o I X 189: II! T awn SPt'Efl I .QM O III.

I II

I I (AM 47 200/91 SPfl-D I Ado/ k Weiss W fi ATTORNEY Patented June 8, 1943 l-TED STATES DFFICE".

PRINTING MACHINERY Adolph Weiss, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Interchemical Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Ohio Original application June 2, 1938, Serial No.

211,325. Divided and this 25, 1939, Serial No. 301,114

11 Claims.

application October This invention relates to rotary intaglio printing machines, and particularly to improvements in such machines of the character disclosed in my Patents Nos. Re. 18,856, 2,014,303, and 2,055,272, and in my applications Serial Nos. 81,409 and 130,672. The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 211,325 filed June 2, 1938.

Among the general bjects of this invention are to provide a simplified rotary intaglio printing machine structure and to provide improved coordination of the parts thereof.

Another object is to provide mechanism for making impressions greater or less than the periph'eral length of the printing cylinder.

An additional and important'object is to provide means whereby the length of an impression on a web being printed maybe varied without varying the diameter of the printing cylinder.

Another object is to provide a simple press structure which permits easy and convenient,

threading of the web, while of the press mechanism. 7

A jurther object is' to provide a simple combination of pressure roller, web-feeding means;

and web-cutting mechanism, whichenables these elements to perform dual functions.

Still further objects are to provide for autoproviding accessibility matic suspension of operationafter a predetermined number of printing cycles, to provide for selective predetermination of such number of printing cycles, and to provide protection for the ink and inking roller ation to thereby maintain the press in operable condition. I

Various additional objects will become evident press-opened position. The view shows the pressure roller, the web-feeding mechanism; and the web-cutting mechanism, all swung up and back from the printing cylinder.

Figs. 4a and 4b, when matched together by superimposing line B-B on line B'B', constiduring suspensions of opertute a plan view of the printing roller and associated parts as they would appear after removal of the pressure roller, the web-feeding mechanism, and the web-cutting mechanism;

When the composite of views 3a, 3b is matched to the composite of views to, 4b by superimposing line C--C on line C'C', there is formed a plan view of the machine with the cover, pressure roller, web-feeding mechanism, and web-cutting v mechanism swung into press-opened position.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the machine in press-closed position, taken in a planeperpendicular to the printing roller. The direction or view and the general plane of the section is indi-- cated by line 55 of-Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the machine in press-closed position, taken in general on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail section taken approximately on line 1-1 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail section taken approximately on line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a vertical detail section taken in general on line 99 of Figs. 4a and 4b, the view being supplemented with a dot-dash elevation of certain associated parts that are in front of the plane of the section.

Fig. 10 is a vertical detail section taken in general on line Ill-l0 of Figs. 3a and 3b.

Fig. 11 is a vertical detail section taken in general on line ll-H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating various modifications and extensions of the invention.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged scale elevation, partially in section, of a phase change coupling shown in.

- Fig. 12. While this is a structural type of view,

the figure is supplementaryto diagrammatic Fig. 12. Accordingly the illustration of the coupling may be considered as diagrammatic in its relation to the invention as a whole.

Fig. 14 is a partially diagrammatic elevationfof an adjustable cam that may be utilized in presses of the present invention.

Figs. 15 to 23, inclusive, are diagrammatic viewsillustrating some of the variations in printing results. that can be achieved with presses embodying the present invention,

General organization This is best seen in Figs. 1, 2, and 6. Front and back plate-like members I and 2 are rigidly tied together and held in parallelism by any suitable means. These members-serve as standards which support the various elements of the machine. At the top, standards I and 2 are a sleeve 20;

provided with extensions I, I in which is mounted a. cross shaft 8. Hinged to shaft 8 is a cover 3. This cover'swings down over the printing roller; and mounted inside of thecover, for swinging movements, are the pressure roller, the webfeeding mechanism, and the web-cutting mechanism.

Removably bolted to the front standard I is a This is best seen in Fig. 6. The printing cylinder I0, which has a printing surface II, is provided with journal extensions l2 and I2, having shoulders I3 and I3. Sleeve I5 of cam I6 (which will be discussed later) is fitted to extension I2 and splined thereto by a spline I4. Ball-bearing units I1 and IB are arranged as shown to rotatably support. the sleeve I5 without end play.

Bearing unit I! is secured in a bearing cap I9 by means of a retainer ring 23 which may (optionally) make a holding friction fit with the bearing cap I9. Carried by the retainer ring 23 is a sealing gland 25 which embraces the periphcry. of the sleeve I5. Also, the retainer ring 23 is provided with an integral 'arcuate extension 24 which projects inwardly adjacent to the end of the printing cylinder proper.

Thebearing cap I9 is fitted into an aperture in the frame standard I; and it is held in place by the coaxially positioned cam housing 5, which is bolted to the standard I and which carries bearing unit I8. Thus, the bearing unit-s I1 and I8 are coaxially arranged and are removably secured to the frame standard I.

At the opposite and 0f the printing cylinder there is a cam 2| (referred to later) having a sleeve portion which is fitted to journal extension I2 and splined thereto by a spline I4.

. Ball bearing units 22 and 22 are positioned coaxlally'with bearing units I! and I8. and they rotatably support the sleeve 20 without end play.

Frame standard 2 is provided with a seat which receives the bearing unit 22, and a. retainer ring 23' holds the bearing in place in'the same man-. ner that retainer 23 holds bearing I! in place. Integral with retainer 23' is an arcuate fiange 24' which projects inwardly adjacent to the end of the printing cylinder proper. Carried by theretainer 23 is asealing gland 25' which'embraces the periphery of sleeve 20., Bearing unit 22 is suitablysecured in gear" housing 4 which is bolted to 'frame standard 2. Attached to, or integral with; the-sleeve 20 is a worm 55, which will be referred tolater. 'End .play of the" printing cylinder is prevented holder 21. This holder comprises lower and upper knife-clamping plates 28 and 29, urged together by screws 3I, 3| and 32. Depending from the lower plate 28 is an integral longitudinal flange 30 which slidingly fits into a longitudinal recess 30 in a support 35. .Support 35 extends between frame standards I and 2 and is journalled in them for rocking movement that will be referred to later. Beneath recess v30 the support 35 is provided witha longitudinal bore which contains a reciprocatable shaft 33. Shaft 33 has a flat seat which receives the lower face of flange 3|]; and the blade holder 21 is fixed to shaft 33. being located bydowels 34, 34, and being secured by screw 32.

Rockable support 35 isprovided with an end extension 36 (Figs. 9 and 1) which projects are means for setting the support 35 in different,

angular positions, for the purpose of thereby positioning doctor knife 26 for engagement with different sizes of printing cylinders Ill. Also associated-with extension 36 are means forbiasing the doctor knife 26 against the surface of the printing cylinder with the requisite wiping pressure. These means will now be described.

Pivoted on extension 36 is an adjustment link 31 (Figs. 9, 1 and 40.) having a depending arm 31 and a generally horizontal arm 31.". Arm 3I has an arcuate slot 38 (Fig. 1), pierced by a clamping cap screw 50 which is threaded into frame standard I. On the lower end of arm 31 is a scale 49 which cooperates with a stationary index mark on frame standard I. The gradua-' tions on scale 49 may indicate desired gradua-' tions in the sizes of printing cylinders I0; thus, link 31 can be readily located in the angular position corresponding to a selected size of printing cylinder, and be clamped by screw 50 in the 31* by any suitable means, as by a;helical spring within boss 4|. Also plunger pin 39 may-be providedwith a man. (Figs. 4a and 9-) for manual withdrawalbfthe pin from link arm 31*; "It will in accordance; with the setting that has been by engagement of shoulders I3 and I3 with the inner ends of sleeves I5 and 20 respectively, op-

erating clearance being allowed for the free 'rotation' of the printing cylinderf The printing cylinder maybe removed by unbolting cam housing -5, removing sleeve I5 and its bearings, and then withdrawing theprinting cylinder from I Wiping mechanism The general organizationof the wiping mechl anism is'best shown in Figs;5 and 9.

The surface u of the printing cylinder is wiped by a. spring steel doctor knife 26 mounted in a;

- Keyed or pin'nedfto the outer end of extension 36 is a pressure link-41 having a horizontal arm 48 (Figs. 1 anew) [This arm is biased upwardly by a helical spring 44 which projects from a-well,

43 that -is inte' jel with plunger link 40. An adjustment screw 45 serves to adjust the pressure" applied b yspringf44. Above arm 48 -i s-a lip 46 ywhich integral 'withplunger link 40. "When plunger link- 146ism'anually moved clockwise (Fig. 1) lip'46 engages-arm-fl; thereby imparting corresponding movement to. support 35 and withdrawing .the do ctorknife 26' from the printing cylinder 16. .;Whe n:'the"plunger link 40 ismoved in the. reverse direction to insert plunger pin 39 into tlf i e;aperture in linkarm 31, the doctor knife 26 is s'wung against the surface of the printing cylinder Ill the position-wheregpin 39 can be inserted, the ,doctor1knife chgs already engaged the surface II .zB'gfgr 'thelink 40 has reached g 9,411, 2, and 8.

ment of the doctor knife when a printing cylinder of different size is to be installed in the machine. After other parts have been moved out of the way (as described later), the doctor knife and knife holder may be moved out of the way .by merely withdrawing knob 42 andsWinging it downwardly. By simple reverse manipulation of knob 42 the doctor knife is restored to the printing surface with .the previous wiping. pressure.

If -a printing cylinder of different size has been installed in the meantime, it is only necessary .to appropriately set link arm 31- by means of scale 49 before the knob 42 is swung upwardly and pin 38 inserted in the socket in link arm 31-.

'When the machine is in operation, the doctor knife 25 is reciprocated longitudinally of the printing cylinder. This reciprocation is effected by imparting a corresponding backand-forth longitudinal movement to shaft 33. The mecha-.

nism for reciprocating shaft 33 is seen in Figs.

A reciprocatory slide 54 (Fig. 8) has an arm 53 which is attached at right angles to shaft 33."

This attachment (Figs. 9 and 4b) is made at the end portion of shaft 33, which projects beyond frame standard 2. This end portion of the shaft 33 pierces arm 53, and is reduced in diameter to providea shoulder 5| which abuts against one face of arm 53. Against the opposite face of arm 53 is a collar 52 which is pinned to shaft 33.

Slide 54 has guideway bearing portions 62, 62 (Fig. 8) which are reciprocatable in guideways that are formed by angles 63, 63 in cooperation with wall portions of gear housing 4. The back of slide 54 is folmed'with spaced vertical faces 5|, 5| (see also Fig. 9) between which is a roller 50 that is mounted on a stud 59. Stud 59 is eccentrically located on a disc 58, so that as the disc rotates, a reciprocatory motion is imparted to slide 54. The reciprocatory motion ofslide 54 is, of course, imparted to shaft 33, and thence to the doctor knife 26.

Disc 58 receives its rotation from shaft 51 to apron to move between the standards when support is rocked.

0n the forward edge of support 35 (Fig. 5) is a sealing blade 61 secured by a clamp 68. A similar sealing blade is shown and fully explained in my United States Patent No. 2,055,272, issued September 22, 19.36.

Ink system An ink reservoir 10. (Figs. 5 and 6) is pivotally attached to frame standard I at-H (Fig. 1) and to frame standard 2 at 12 (Figs. 2 and 5). Integral'withthe reservoir is a perforated lug 14 (Figs. l1, 5 and 6) whichis pierced by a spring pressed plunger 13 to hold the reservoir in the operating position shown in the drawings.

By withdrawing plunger I3, the reservoir 10 can I be readily swung dowwardly to give access to its interior, e. g. for cleaning.

The pivotal connection at 12 is made hollow to permit the passag vof the ink through a swivelly connected conduit I5 (Fig. 2) to the intake port of a circulating pump 16. The discharge port of the pump is connected by a pipe I 11 to an inking manifold 18, from which the ink sprocket 88 (Fig. 6) which rotates with the print is discharged through an elongated'port'82 onto the printing surface If. The pump is driven through sprocket 81, connected by chain 89 to ing cylinder I0.

The inking manifold 18 is in sealing engage? ment with the frame standards I and 2; and

it is pivotally mounted so that it can be rocked away from the printing cylinder, in much the which it is attached. Splined to shaft 51 is a worm gear 56 (see also Fig. 6) which is driven by the worm of sleeve 20, which receives the rotation of the printing cylinder l0. Thus, ro-

tation of the printing cylinder effects reciprocation ofthe doctor knife 25. It .will also be noted .that the reciprocation of shaft 33 in no way in same way that the doctor knife 26 is rocked back. Above the discharge port 82, the manifold is provided with a-long sealing strip 83 which is in sealing engagement with the printingcylinder I!) when the manifold is in operating position. Y

As best seen in Fig. 10, the inking manifold has a hollow pivot stud which pierces frame standard 2. From this stud a swivel joint pipe connection is made to conduit 11, so that the ink can pass to the manifold bore 88 while permitting the manifold to be rocked in its pivots. At the otherend the manifold has an extension i9 whichrprojects throughframe standard I.

Associated with extensions 13 are parts (a) by which the manifold is biased to spring press sealing strip 82 against the surface of the printing cylinder, (b) by which adjustment is made for different sizes of printing cylinders,'and (c) by which the manifold can be rocked back away from the printing cylinder. 'These parts are similar to those for correspondingly adjusting the doctor knife, and they operate in the same way. Link 84 (Figs. 10 and 3a), which has perpendicular ams 84 and'84' (Figs. 3a and 1) corresponds to 1 link 31 with its perpendicular arms 31 and 31 and link 84 may be set in the different positions required for different sizes of printing cylinders.

Plunger link 85 corresponds to plunger link 40;

the upper surface of doctor knife 26. This nose cept that sufficient clearance is allow for the 7 and by withdrawing spring'pressed plunggrs85 (Figs. 3a and 1) and swinging it downwardly, the

' inking manifold is rocked back from the printing cylinder. Pressure link 86 corresponds to pressure link 41; and link 85 is rotatively biased by spring 85 to press the sealing strip 83 (Fig. 5) against the printing cylinder.

In operation ink is drawn from reservoir 'lli'by pump 15 and forced to the inking manifold 18 from which it is continuously delivered through nozzle 82 in the form of a ribbon which extends the length of the printing surface ll. Except for the depressed areas in surface II which hold the ink that is tobe applied to the web, the entire surface II of the printing cylinder is wiped clean by doctor knife 26; andthe surplus ink falls back into reservoir Hi. When it is desired to drain the ink reservoir, drain cock 90 (Fig. 2) is opened with the pump IS in operation.

Sealing system To prevent any substantial evaporation of the volatile ingredients of the printing ink, the ink is then showing the boundaries in directions lengthwise of the printing cylinder.

Referring to Fig. 5, the boundary of the sealed system will be traced in a clockwise direction, starting with printing cylinder III. The doctor knife 26 seals the printing cylinder to strip 51,

which in turn carries the seal to support 35. Up-- seals support 35 to wardly bowed springy strip 92 I The other edge of one edge of ink reservoir III.

the ink reservoir is sealed by bowed springy strip 9I to inking manifold 18. And the inking manifold is sealed to the printing cylinder by strip 83. Since support 35 and manifold 18 are swung into different positions for different sizes of printing cylinders, they are provided with arcuate surfaces 94 and 95 concentric with their respective pivotal axes, which, in the different positions, appropriately engage sealing strips 92 and 9|, respectively.

Each of the elements referred to in the preceding paragraph is sealed endwise to the, frame standards I and 2, as will now be described.

The endwise sealing of the printing roller to standard 2 is a substantial duplication ofits endwise sealingto standard I. Accordingly, only the scaling to standard I will be described, reference being had primarily to Fig. 6.

The arcuate flange 24 of retainer 23 has its outer surface at a radius equal to the radius of the smallest printing cylinder for which the machine is designed- Thus, the outer surface of flange 24 constitutes a stationary extension of printing surface II when the smallest printing cylinder is being used. For larger printing cylinders, the outer surface offlange 24 is, in effect, appropriately increased in radius by a removable segment 93. Thearcuate length of flange 24 (and segment 93) is suflicient to extend beyond :sealing strips 61 sealing engagement with the outer surface of flange 24 (or segment 93).. The doctor knife '25 also makes sealing engagement with the surface of flange 24 (or segment 93) ;land in reciprocating it :does not completely leave the flange "(or segment) Thus, sealing'strip 51 can have its edge relieved throughout the axial length of printing surface I I, so that it does not engage the printing surface, which is sealed *by thedoctor knife 26.

The end of the printing cylinder I0, and the free end of flange .24 (and segment 93) are accurately ground sothat the flange 24 (and segment 93) make a sealing .fit with the end of the printing cylinder. Frame standard I isin sealing engagement with hearing cap I9, which in turn, is in sealing engagement with the periphery of retainer 23/ The inner surface of retainer. 23 is sealed by gland 25 to sleeve 15;

and 83 (Fig. so that those :stnips make I and sleeve I5 is in sealing engagement with journal extension I2. Thus. it will be seen that the printing cylinder is sealed endwise to frame standard I; and it is correspondingly sealed to frame standard 2.

The ends-of sealing strips 51, 83, 9|, and 92 are all accurately fitted against flat ground surfaces of standards I and 2, so as to make sealing fits therewith while permitting sliding movement of the strip ends with respect to the standards I and 2. The ends of support 35 and manifold I8 are likewise fitted and sealed to standards I and 2. The end wall 18, 10 (Figs. 5 and 6) of the ink reservoir 10 have curved bosses 10",10 which make scaling engagement with standards I and 2. Each of these bosses has a flat ground face, so engaging a flat face on the standard as to permit the pivotal downward movement of the reservoir for cleaning.

It will be seen that various operating parts of the machine have been utilized as part of the sealing system without impairing their primary functions. This has been accomplished with convenience and simplicity; and the sealed system has been adapted for various applicational needs, some of which will be discussed later.

Web supply mechanism This is best seen in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6. A shaft I3I carries a roll of web I30, which roll is telescoped onto the shaft and clamped thereto in any suitable manner. One end of the shaft I3I is 'journaled. in the bottom of an inclined slot I3I (Fig. 2) in frame standard 2. The other end of shaft I3I is journaled in the bottom of ah inclined slot I3I (Fig. 1) in frame standard. I. As shown in Fig. 6 the shaft IE is provided adjacent to its ends with shoulders I3 I", I3I which prevent excessive end play of the shaft. The upper end of slot I3I is enlarged as shown so that, when the shaft is lifted upwardly, one' shoulder I3 I can be pushed into the enlargement and the shaft canted and removed for replacement of roll I30.

Keyed to shaft I3I is a gear I32 which,.when the shaft is in place, meshes with a gear I33. Gear I33 is fixed on astub shaft to which is also fixed a brake drum I34 located outside of standard 2. Pivoted to standard 2 is a brake I35 (Fig. 2) having a lining I36 which is urged against the brake drum I34 by spring I38.

A shaft '139 is .journaled in frame standards I and 2 and extends outside of each of them.

Aflixed to this shaft, just inside of standards I and 2 are I40, I40. These links carry .a

weight roller III under which the web I45 passes, as shown in Fig. 5. When the web pulled to: I

set it in motion, the inertia of supply roll I" does not'have to be instantaneously overcome, as roller IlzI rises thereby making a certain length of the web available to the printing mechanism.

"Continued pulling of the web, or the weight of roll I4I. -or both, :act to pull the web from the supply roll. As this happens, roll I4I descends and moves :shaft I39 counterclockwise as viewed "in Fig.- 2. Such movement of shaft I39 causes cam I 44 to engage, and increasingly apply pressure to, roller I 31. This increases the retarding pressure .of brake I35until the downward movement of :roller I'4I is checked by a balanced con' dition having been reached.

Aflixed to shaft I39 on the operators side of the machine is :a link I42, provided with an adv justable' counterweightl43 by which the weight 76 action ofro1lerI4I may be modified.

7 Pressure roller, and guiding and feeding mechanisms These parts are compactly arranged inside of the hinged cover 3, With the cover open, all of these elements may be readily moved out of the way to give access to the printing cylinder, inking manifold, and doctor knife assembly; and

restoration is accomplished by simply swinging the parts into operating position and closing and latching the cover.

With conventional rotary intaglio printing presses, the length of the printing cylinder impression is equal to the peripheral length (i. e. circumference) of the printing cylinder. However, this equality does not necessarily obtain with the present invention, so the length of the printing cylinder impression should not be confused with the peripheral length of the printing cylinder. Length of the printing cylinder impression or length of the impression, means the length of web which passes the printing cylinder during one complete printing cycle, without regard to whether or not the printed design occupies the entire length of the impression,

and without regard to whether the printing cycle involves one, more than one, or less than one revolution of the printing cylinder. As previously pointed out herein, my invention provides for the insertion of printing cylinders of diflerent sizes to vary the length of the printing cylinder impression. Additionally, I provide means (referred to later) whereby impressions of different lengths may be made from the same printing cylinder; and this has important industrial applications.

Pressure roller ,III (Figs. 5 and 6) is journalled in ball bearing units IOI and I02. These bearings are mounted respectively in similar links I00 and I00 (see also Figs. 3a and 3b) which are pivoted to shaft 8 that also forms the pivot for cover 3. The free ends of links I00 and I00 are tied together by bridge I08 (Figs. 5, 3a, and

3b) so that the alignment of bearings IOI and I02 is maintained. In operating position the axis of the pressure roller is located approximately directly above the axis of the printing cylinder, as shown in Fig. 5.

Links I00 and I00 are provided respectively with L-shaped extension lugs I 03 and I03 (Fig. 6), to which are aflixed studs I04 and I04 for rollers I05 and I05. These rollers are adapted to cooperate respectively with cams I6 and 2! that are driven synchronously with the printing cylinder. When it is desired to produce printing cylinder impressions corresponding in length to the peripherial length of the printing cylinder, cams I6 and 2I are so made or set as to not afiect the links I00 and I00 on which the pressure roller is mounted. When it is desired to produce printing cylinder impressions of lengths lessthan the peripheral length of printing cylinder I0,

zone of cams I6 and 2|; but in the active zone of the cams, pressure roller III and the web are elevated and the printing cylinder I0 rotates idly without the web being advanced.

. In operation the printing cylinder I0 is power driven. While the web is being advanced by the printing cylinder, the pressure roller III is frictionally driven through its pressure contact. with the moving web. When cams I6 and 2I elevate the pressure roller, its rotation is stopped by a spring pressed brake H3 (Fig. 6).

A guide and spacing roller I01 (Fig.5) is also rotatably supported by links I00 and I00. The bearings (not shown) forrolle'r I01 are in blocks which may be clamped in different positions along slots I06 in the links, to shift the position of roller I01 fora purpose to-be described later. If desired the bearing blocks for roller I01 may each be provided with an index, while each of links I00 and I00 is provided with a cooperating scale, to facilitate alignment of roller I01.

Also pivoted to shaft 8 is a second pair of links IIS and I I4 (Figs. 5, 6, 3a and 3b) which are positioned higher than links I00 and I00. As shown in Fig. 6, links H4 and H4 carry bearings H8 and H6, respectively, which rotatably support a feed roller shaft II9. A bridge I22 (Fig. 5) ties together the free ends of links H4 and II4',-thereby maintaining the alignment of bearings H6 and H6. Adjustably fixed on shaft II 9 are yielding feed roller members I20, I20 which engage the edge portions of the web as it passes over pressure roller III.

Shaft H9 and pressure roller III are geared together by gears H2 and IZI (Fig. 6). So long as the pressure roller is being frictionally driven.

by the moving web, feed rollers I20, I20 are, therefore, driven to advance the web from the bottom of pressure roller III over guide and spacing roller I01, to feed rollers I20, I20. The advancing of theweb from supply roll I30 to the bottom of the pressure roller III is efiected by the rotation of the printing cylinder I 0. The

peripheral speed of feed rollers I20, I20 may be equal to the peripheral speed of the printing cylinder. However, to insure that the web will be kept'taut'over roller I01, the peripheral speed of feed rollers I20, I20 may be somewhat inexcess of the peripheral speed of the printing cylinder.

Links II I and III are provided with bosses I plungers H8, III) are depressed, gears H2 and I2I loosely mesh with their pitch circles out of contact with one another. Depression of plung- V ers II8, I I8 (with resultant yielding of feed"- rollers I20, I20) brings the pitch circles of gears H2 and I 2I into contact, or nearly so. Links I00, I00 and H4, I II are provided with abutting projections which arrest the movement of shaft ment.

Cutting mechanism The cutting. mechanism is best seen in Fig. 5,

but parts of it also appear in Figs. 3a and 3b.

Extending across the top 3, and parallel to the axis of the printing cylinder, is an angular bracket I23. A cutting knife I24 is secured to bracket I23 by cap screws I24; and the knife is made vertically adjustable by any suitablemeans, such as slots I24 (Fig. 3b) in the knife.

Along the bracket I23 are several boss portions I25 (one shown) spring-pressed plungers clamping bar b of yieldingmaterial. Securedto the bottom of bracket I23 are retainers I21 (one which accommodate I26 that support a II9 toward pressure roller III when the pitch the cutting mechanism and rollers III, I01, and I20, away from the printing cylinder. The leading edge of the web is drawn under roller I, over roller I46 and beyond the printing cylinder I0. Then the links I00, I00 are swung down, bringing rollers I01 and III to-the position shown in Fig. 5. The leading edge of the web is next drawn around roller I01 and over roller III to a position beyond platform IIO. Then links II4,

II4 are swung down, meshing gears H2 and I2I (Fig. .6) and bringing feed rollers I20, I to the position shown in Fig. 5. Finally cover 3 is closed and latched, which brings cutting knife I24 to the position shown in Fig. 5. 7

Drive and electrical controls As previously described, the machine includes such mechanical connections that all driven parts will be actuated in coordination if rotation be imparted to sleeve 20 (Fig. 6). In keyed relation to this sleeve is a drive gear, or sprocket, G (see also Fig. 2) to receive driving power from an electric *motor M (Fig. 2) that is mechanically suitably connected to the gear G to drive the same. Thus,

all elements of the press are o erated by a single driving connection to a source of motive power.

shown) which so limit the downward movement of plungers I21 as to establish apredetermined normal spacing between the lower face of clampingbar b and the top of bridge I08. Secured to bridge I08 is a second cutting knife I09, and also'a platform H0. The parts are so adjusted that, when bridge. I08 is'elevated 'suifici'e'ntly,

cutting knives I09 and I24 make shearing engagement and sever the web.

. For certain uses, Imay provide'the press with automatic controls which cause it to stop after each printing cycle. This makes it possible to print single slips, One at a time as required. Also .I may provide for semi automatic operation of thepress inprinting such slips, the removal of one printed slip being utilized to initiate the printing of the next slip.

When the machine is so operated that' the' length (or spacing) of the printed impression is less 'th'an'the peripheral length-.of the printing cylinder, bridge I08 (among -otherthings)'is eleprinting cylinder turns idly. If it is desired to sever the printed web (e. gr-formaking printed sl-ipsorpackage wrappers) the cams I6 and 2I are so arranged that cutting knife I09 will be elevateds'ufficiently to sever the web; In this elevating movement the web is first. clamped between bridge I08 and clamping'bar b; .then the web is severed by cutting knives. I09 and I24. The cut slip falls onto platform IIO, from. which it may be removed by hand or by suitable mechanical means.

shifted along slots. I06, as previously described,

to varysuch position of the line of severance.

If repeat printing of the web is desired, without severance into slips. (or the like), cams I6 and 2| are so arranged that any elevation of Y bridge-I08 to permit idle rotation of the printing cylinder is insufficient to bring the cutting' knives I09 and I24 into shearing engagement.

Threading the .1na me v The Web Fi 5) passes fromthe supply roll I30, under weight rolleri I, over guide roller I46, between the printing cylinder I0 and pres} sure roller III,'over guide roller- I01,-between Suitably insulated and mounted on the frame standard 2 (Fig. 2) are movable contacts I and I52whichare spring biased away from stationary contacts I5I and I53 respectively. Pivoted to cover-3-is a bell crank lever I54 having a vertical leg adapted'to engage contact I52. A spring I54 biases bell crank lever I54 with suflicient strength v to over'comethe bias of contact I52 and close the same when lever l54is free to move. A shaft I65 extends across cover 3; and keyed or pinned to the end of the shaft is a bell crank lever I56. This lever-is movable to close contact I50, but is biased in the opposite direction by spring I56".

Insideof cover 3 (Fig. 5) shaft I has afllxed thereto an'arm I51 having a yielding friction pad The position of the line of severance with respect to the printing is governed by the position of roller I01. This roller may be I58. :Extension I03"(Flgs. 2 and 3b) of link I00- is adapted to engage .the adjustment screw of bell crank lever I54 when roller I05 is moved up by its cam(a's previously described) to suspend the ad vance of the web.

v the printing cyclein progress. The electrical Assume that the'machine is in operation, with contacts are'thenin thepositions'shown in Fig. 2,

the circuit to the motor Mbeing maintained by rela'y- R. The holding circuit 'for relay R is through-connection I60, contact I50, contacts I53 and I52, and connection-IN and-switch I64 to the line. At the 'end of the printing cycle roller I06 is raisedby-cam 2I (Fig. 6) and'printing issuspressure roller 'I II and feed rollers l20, I20, be-

tween bridge I08 and.clampingbar b, between the cutting knives I09 and I24, andover platform H0. v

To thread the web, the cover3is opened and links I00, I00 and H4, H4 are swung back'to the position shown in Figs.:3auand1 3b. This moves pended; (Jam. 21 is so arranged that as the end .of thecomplete machine cycle is approached,

roller i 05 will be given a final upward movement beyondthatrequiredfor severing of the web by the cutting knives I09 and I24 (Fig. 4). In this final movement, extension I03 moves bell crank lever I54 and permits contacts I53, I52 to open. This breaks the holding circuit of relay R, allow- 'ing the relay. to open and stop driving motor M.

Thus the press stops with the bridge I00 (Fig.5)

lnits uppermost position.

Attached to extension 103' is a latch-engaging I50, I5I which complete the circuit to relay R, so

that the relay operates and starts the driving motor M. Latch I63 is arranged to hold bell crank lever I56 in its operated position, thereby maintaining contacts I50, I5I closed as the press starts to operate. The initial movement of the press causes extension I to descend, which,

allows bell crank lever I54 to rotate clockwise and close contacts I 52, I 53. This restores the original holding circuit for relay B, through connection I60, contact I 50, contacts I53 and I52, and connection I6I. After contacts I52, I 53 are closed, hook I 62 retracts latch I63 and permits bell crank lever I56 to return to its initial position and contacts I50, II-to open.

' When the machine cycle is completed, contacts I52, I53 are again opened and .the machine stopped. If it is desired to operate the press continuously, switch I60 is shifted from contact I 65 to contact I66, thus connecting the motor M for continuous operation. For continuous operation friction pad I58 may he removed, and tabl IIO be inclined downwardly so that the slips will drop onto a conveyor (if slips are being printed). If the web is not being severed into slips, the printed web may be appropriately handled as it leaves the machine.

If desired, the machine may be arranged to operate automatically through a series of cycles once it is started by extracting a printed slip or otherwise. In such case, the machine would function to automatically print a definite number of slips and then stop. In this case bell crank lever I54, instead of being elevated by extension I03 could be elevated by a machine part operating on a reduced gear ratio. For example, if it were desired to print three slips in a series, bell crank lever I54 could be operated by a machine part arranged to rise once in three revolutions of the printing cylinder. This modification is illustrated in connection with Fig. 12.

Characteristics and adaptations of the press The inventor provides a'printing press which can be readily adapted for various types of operations, and for various industrial applications. The parts are simply constructed and compactly arranged. A complete machine, including paper supply, may be arranged to have all operating parts actuated in coordination from a single source of motive power.

Substitution of printing cylinders of different sizes is readily eifected. Also, printing cylinder impressions of different lengths may be made from a single printing cylinder. may be so well sealed that the machine can stand idle over considerable periods of time and remain always ready for immediate use. This is very desirable for the printing of individual slips. For such use the engraving on the printing cylinder The ink supply;

strip 83), is a plain cylindrical surface that has been wiped clean by the doctor knife. Thus, no ink coated parts are left exposed.

Several diflerent prints may be selectively made from a single cylinder by providing the .engravings therefor on one cylinder and selectively printed from that cylinder. The selection may be made by substituting different sets of cams I6 and 2| (Fig. 5) which have their inactive sectors in difierent angular positions with respect to the printing cylinder I0. To select any one engraving for printing it is only necessary to install a set of cams I6 and 2I having active sectors covering that arc of the printing cylinder which is to be rendered inactive or non-printing. Such selection may similarly be made by arranging the cams I6 and 2 I to be rotatively adjustable with respect to the printing cylinder. In this connection, it should be noted that (with sufficiently rigid construction),- the web is lifted from the printing cylinder if an active sector of either cam I6 or H is in engagement with its roller (I05 or I 05'). Thus,'cam I6 may be made to render the printing cylinder inactive throughout one sector, while cam 2i continues the printing cylinder inactivity throughout a succeeding sector.

By the use of different sets of cams I6 and 2I, a wide variety of operating characteristics can be achieved. The sectors of activity of the cams may be varied in length, as well' as angular location. Also the amount and rate of lift imparted to roller I05 and I05 may be varied. I also contemplate that the same results can be achieved by replaceable and/or adjustable segments which actuate the rollers I05 and I 05' and which can be shifted to vary the angle of the active sectors of the cams, as well as the rotative locations of the sectors. and the amount and rate of lift imparted to rollers I 05 and I05.

These various modifications and adaptations of the press are illustrated diagrammatically in Figs. 12, 13, and 14 of the drawings.

Figs. 12, 1-3 and 14 printing, the web passes between feed rollers I15 and I16, and is delivered between the blades I11 and I18 of cutting shears. Between the printing I cylinder I12 and feed rollers I 15, I16, the web is so arranged thatthe machine stops with all of the engraving within the sealed ink housing.

This means that in stopped position, the exposed portion of the printing cylinder (the short are in Fig. 5 between the doctor knife 26 and sealing may pass over two rollers I19 and I80, which are so arranged as to vary the distance which the web must travel in moving from the printing cylinder to the cutting shears. The axis of roller I19 is stationary, but roller I is rotatably mounted on a swinging frame I8I which is pivoted coaxially with roller I19. By swinging the frame I8I and locking it to a. sector I02 by set screw I 88, the adjustment is made to vary the length of the travel of the web between the printing cylinder I12 and the cutting shears. This adjustment permits severing of theweb at any selected point in the printing cylinder impression.

The various driven elements of-the press are mechanically connected together to be actuated from a single source of power indicated as an electric motor I85. To permit a clear and convenient diagrammatic showing of the operating relationships of the difierent parts, bevelled gears have been indicated in Fig. 12 of the drawings. However, in actual machine construction, it is preferable to so arrange the parts as to permit the use of spur gears or the like. As shown in printing cylinder I12.

.ccupling I90, shaft I9I, variable speed mechanism I92, and shaft I93, which is geared to the 4 drive shaft. At least one of feed rollers I and I16 is driven in coordination with the printing cylinder I12, the driving power being transmitted from the drive shaft I86 through shaft I94, variable speed mechanism I95, and shaft I96. The

movable blade I11 of the web cutting shears is adapted to be actuated by cam I91, which is also driven in coordination with the printing cylinder I12. The power for driving the camv I91 is derived from the power shaft I86 through shaft I98, variable speedmechanism I99, shaft 200, phase-changing coupling 20I, and shaft 202.

Pressure roller I14 is rotatably mounted on a pivoted frame 203, which is adapted to be rocked by cam I88. When the inactive (or low) zone of cam.I88 is in contact with roller 204, the pressure roller I14 holds the web I45 in contact with the Accordingly, throughout the inactive zone of cam I88 the web is printed with any design which passes the printing zone of the printing cylinder I12. However, during the active (or high) zone of cam I88, the pressure roller I14 is elevated, with the result that the web is out of contact with .the printing cylinder and no printing lay, takes place.

While the web is out of contact with the .printing'cylinder, it is, nevertheless, advanced by feed rollers I15, I18, which may be driven at the same peripheral speed as the speed of the printing cylinder I12. By means of variable speed mechanism I95, the peripheral speed of feed rollers I15, I16 may beadjusted to conform with the tion to the cyclic operation of the machine; for .example, the web may be severed into lengths than one revolution. Once each revolution, cam

ment to effect various degrees of overlap of the corresponding to one, less than one, or more than one revolution of printing cylinder I12. Phasechangc coupling 20I provides a means whereby the point of severance may be located on the web,

. though a similar location may be effected by adjusting the position of roller I80. Variable speed mechanism I92 permits the control cam I88 to be rotated at various cyclic rates in relation to the rotation of the printing cylinder I12. Also phase-change coupling I90 permits any inactive sector of cam I88 to be located in coordination with any selected peripheral zone of the printing cylinder I12.

The press may be so controlled that upon being set in operation, it automatically stops after one 3 set at any phase with respect to the printing cylinder; and for each revolution of the printing cylinder, it may make one, more than one, or less 300 elevates member I03 and stops the press. The starting and stopping of the press is effected by controlling motor I with a mechanical and electrical system associated with member I03.-

InI'ig. 12 such mechanical and electrical system is identical with that shown in Fig. 2 and previcusly described; and in Fig. 12 the same reference characters are used to designate the respective parts duplicated from Fig.

Fig. 13 shows more clearly the diagrammatic phase-change couplings I90, 20I, and 304. The driving shaft of the coupling is keyed to a collar 205 and the driven shaft is keyed to an abutting collar 206. Set screw 201 secures collar 205 to the driven shaft for the transmission of power. By loosening the setscrew, the driven shaft can be rotated with respect to the driving shaft to adjustable cam is shown in Fig. 14. Aflixed to.

the cam, shaft is a cam element 2I0 having an active (or high) zone which extends clockwise from the line s to the line t. Rotatably mounted on the cam shaft is a replaceable andadjustable' cam element 2I I having an active zone extending clockwise from the line u to the line v. Attached to cam shaft 2I2 is a collar 2I3 which holds the adjustable cam element 2 against the main cam element 2 I 0. A bolt 208 passes through an arcuate slot 209 in the adjustable'cam element and is threaded into the main cam element. enough to engage both the edge of the main cam element 2I0 and the adjustable cam element 2. By setting the adjustable cam eleactive zones of elements 2I0 and 2I I, the effective active and inactive zones of the cam are varied. v

. Figs. 15 to 23 These figures show a few of the many printing effects that may be produced by a press such as illustrated in Fig. 12 of the drawings. The webs shown in these figures represent the web after it has been acted upon by the printing cylinder. For the sake of illustration, the printing cylinder is assumed to be engraved with either a square design, or a circular design, or both. Each design printed on the web is illustrated in full lines; Where a design on the printing cylinder passes the printing zone without being printed (due to pressure roller I14, Fig. 12 being ele; vated), the location of such design with respect to the web is indicated in dot-dash lines in Figs. 15 to 23.

For each of Figs. 15 to 23 the printing cylinder is the same size, and cam I08 is the same though rotated at various speeds relative to the printing cylinder. In each of these figures, one

printing cylinder revolution corresponds to the web length between consecutive of the vertical dot-dash lines. However, the location of these lines has nothing to do with the beginning and end of the printed slips (if such are being made) as the web may be so severed as to place the design on any selected part of the slip.

For Fig. 15, the control cam (I88 in Fig. 12)

To aid in making the The cam roller x has a face wide rotates synchronously with the printing cylinder which has one square engraving. The cam action graph I88 indicates that the web is in contact with the printing cylinder during intervals i (five shown) and out of contact during intervening intervals h. Accordingly, web I45 is printed as shown, with one rectangle per printing cylinder revolution; and the length of the printing cylinder impression is equal to arrow 400, which is the peripheral length of the printing cylinder.

To print the web I 45 shown in Fig. 16 it is only necessary to so adjustthe speed of cam I88 that it makes one revolution for each two revolutions of the printing cylinder. In other words, the cam runs at half the angular speed of the printing cylinder. As indicated by cam graph I88 the design is printed only every second revolution of the printing cylinder, so

that the printing cylinder impression is twice the peripheral length of the printing cylinder, as indicated by the length of arrow 408.

Fig. 17 shows the efiect of reducing the angular speed of the cam I88 to one third that-of the printing cylinder as indicated by graph I88". The design is printed on web I45 only once every third revolution of the printing cylinder; and the printing cylinder impression has a length equal to arrow 400.

In Fig. 18 the web I5 is printed the same as the web in 17. The printing cylinder impression has the same length as indicated by arrow 400 However, the result is-- obtained by rotating the control cam at two-thirds the angular speed of the printing cylinder, the cam action being indicated by graph I88.

For Figures 19 to 23, the printing cylinder has both square and circular engravings. Operated in continuous contact with the web, it would print the web I 45 shown in Fig. 19, the length of the printing cylinder impression being indicated by arrow 4M If this two design cylinder is used with the cam I88 operating as for Fig. 15, it prints a web 5 as shown in Fig. 20. This is the same as web I45, the circular design being blanked out by the cam action indicated by graph I88 The length of the impression is that of arrow 480.

By cutting the cam speed in half as indicated by graph I88 Fig. 21, the web M5 is printed. This is the same as web I45, Fig. 16, the length of the printing cylinder impression being that of arrow 400 "5 indicated by graph I88. The result is that 5 e length of the impression is doubled as indi- I ated by the length of arrow 400 and web I45 sprinted with the circular design every second i evolution of the printing cylinder. For these examples, it will be apparent that H variety of effects may be produced by suitably correlating the angular speeds of the control cam and printing cylinders. & after the manner of ratios used in hunting tooth ear sets.

These may be related Thus even with a cam speed near to the cylinder speed, the length of the impression may be made several (or even many) times the peripheral length of the printing cylinder. Also, the same cylinder may have .various designs which may be printed selectively or in various chosen combinations.

In compliance with the patent statutes, I have disclosed thebest forms in which I have contemplated applying my invention. However, it will be understood that the disclosures are illustrative and not limiting.

What I claim is:

1. A rotary intaglio printin press comprising: a printing cylinder, means to rotate the cylinder, means to guide a web adjacent to the cylinder for contact therewith to print the same, means to control the contact of the web with the cylinder to effect printing only from preselected peripheral zones of the cylinder, and means to shift the selection to different zones of the. cylinder.

2. In a rotary intaglio printing press having a printing cylinder, means to direct a web adjacent to said cylinder for printing the web, and a pressure roller to establish printing contact between said cylinder and the web, the improvement which comprises: a pivotally mounted frame supporting the pressure roller for movement toward and away fromthe printing cylinder, cam means associated with said frame to periodically shift said frame and roller as the printing cylinder rotates whereby the Web alternately contacts and clears the rotating printing cylinder, driving means for rotating said printing cylinder and said cam means, and variable speed means for varying the speed of rotation of said cam means to change the duration of periods during which the web contacts and clears the printing cylinder 80 that impressions greater than the peripheral length of the printing cylinder may be made.

3. In a rotary intaglio printing press having a rotating printing cylinder and a pressure roller cooperating therewith to establish web-feeding pressure between a web and the printing cylinder, the improvement which comprises: means for periodically moving the pressure roller out of contact with the printing cylinder and thus removing such web-feeding pressure, and an auxiliary feed roller means driven from the pressure roller for feeding the web when said web-feeding pressure is removed.

4. A rotary intaglio printing press comprising: a printing cylinder, a pressure roller to eifect printing contact between the printing cylinder and a web to be printed thereby, web guiding and tensioning means cooperating with the pressure roller, a shiftable support for the pressure roller and said web guiding and tensioning means,

- means to shift said support and thereby disengage the web from the printing cylinder, and web cutting means operated by the shifting movement of said support.

5. A rotary intaglio printing Press comprising:

independently movable on said axis to separate the cooperating elements of said pairs of elements and thereby facilitate threading of the web between them.

6. Apparatus for printing a web and cutting it into sheets of predetermined length comprising: a stationary frame; a printing cylinder carried by said frame; a framework pivotally related to said stationary frame and movable with the web from juxtaposition to said printing cylinder to a location remote therefrom so as to permit ready access to said printing cylinder; and a pressure roller, web guiding means, web tensioningmeans and web cutting means all carried by .said movable framework.

7. Apparatus for printing a web and cutting it into sheets of predetermined length comprising:

a stationary frame; a printing cylinder carried by'said frame; a plural-part framework having its parts pivotally related on a common axis to a said stationary frame and movable with the web cooperative engagement with said printing cylinder; and means for continuing the feeding of the web between said, printing and impression cooperative engagement with said printing'cylcylinders when said impression cylinder is out of inder.

9. A rotary intaglio printing press, comprising ,a printing cylinder, a pressure roller for effecting printing contact between the printing cylinder and a web to be printed thereby, a shiftable support for said pressure roller, means for shifting said support, and web-cutting means operated by the shifting movement of said support. 7

10. A rotary intaglio printing press, comprising a printing cylinder, a pressure roller for effecting printing contact between the printing cylinder and a web to be printed thereby, a shiftable support for saidpressure roller, means for sliifliimg said support, web-cutting means operated by the shifting movement of said support, and meansfor varying the distance which the web travels in.moving from said printing cylinder to said web-cuttingmeans.

11. A rotary intaglio printing press comprisinga printing cylinder, an impression cylinder mounted in cooperative engagement with said printing cylinder, means for rotating said cylinders, means operatively associated with said rotating means for periodically moving said impression cylinder out of cooperative engage-- ment with said printingcylinde'r, and means for stopping rotation of said impression cylinder when it is out of cooperative engagement with a said printing cylinder.

- ADOLPH WEISS. 

